The Hobbit, Southampton

Fruitbat screeching behind the bar, the awkward parking, the paddling pool to get through to the urinals in the gents, the late night three setter. No changes back at The Hobbit then.

This time we had Oxford's very own Shirley to kill off the first set for us.

And how good were they? Tight, poppy quality songs. We loved them. With our old pal Alan on guitar. I think this was when Eg decided we were going to get Alan to do a turn on stage with us. Teenage Kicks would do.

So our 2 set performance was the usual mélange of Loopy old and new with plenty of covers thrown in. And whilst Shirley were clearly the 'musicians' of the night, loopy - as headliners - were always going to enjoy the audience at their drunkest. Though I have to say, after we had called Alan from the audience for his Teenage Kicks stint, thereafter the audience shouted 'We Want Alan' after nearly every song. Very funny. Perhaps.

Quote of the evening:
"I've just worked out why we're all acting so happy: it's the band" girl at the bar, heard by Tom during the break after the first set.

Support:
Shirley

Set:
Mixture of classics ... and other [popular] classics.

The Railway, Winchester

"This is our last gig, cos in a few months time we're all going our separate ways to University" was what the fresh-faced lead singer proclaimed before launching into the last number. I'm Widely Spread. That was their band name. There were a lot of them on stage too. They were indeed widely spread. And they were supporting us. Though to be honest, we should have supported them. Good songs, a good feel and, most importantly of all for these small venues, a good following.

It was Fea who was the first to break his silence. How he longed for that youth again. And, to be honest, they were a seemingly good advert for it. Bastards. And let's face it. Fea is getting on a bit.

When I'm Widely Spread left the stage, so did their fans abandon the floor. Leaving seven of ours old faithfuls looking somewhat embarrassed at their shoes. We've had lower attendances but the years have made them seem few and far between, and this was one of the funniest. So we treated it as a band practice with friends. Which is always nice.

Sound Engineer:

• Isaac - often seen at Valley Studios.

Support Acts:

• I'm Widely Spread
• Parcel Force

Set:

• Hearts Pumping
• The Smile
• Ordinary Life
• Wish I Was Someone Else
• Wonderful
• You Are The One

Photos:
Catrine Barry

Gig: The Furniture Project

Present: Ad, Eg, Fea, Gi and Tom

Venue:

This gig was organised via Fea. Luisa works for the Furniture Project charity in Newbury. This was their Christmas Do.

Live at the BBC

Venue: BBC Studios, Brighton

Present: All

Well, a few weeks previously, the band won the Southern Counties Radio Juke Box Jury style programme with a record breaking 29 out of 30. Penance for such a feat took the form of having to perform live on air. A new addition to the Loopy CV.

So, the boys plus groupies, travelled all the way across to the BBC studios in Brighton.

Interviewed by the presenter Phil Jackson, the boys managed to get across that in spite of their age they were still just as prone to sounding cheap and tacky as the rest of the younger models of pop wannabes. At least they didn't sound delusional.

The evening ended with a pint back at the Sussex Brewery in Emsworth.

Gig: Old Fire Station, Oxford

Venue: Old Fire Station, George Street, Oxford

Set1:
Someone
Small Town Boy
Loaded Gun
Town Called Malice
OX4
Evil Kenevil
Good Enough
Rollercoaster Ride
I’m a Believer
24 Hours

Set2:
Mustang Sally
Starting Out
Emma Wray
Wonderwall
Change
Learning to swim
Lazy Days